Gran Teatro del Liceo

This theater-opera is known simply as Liceo or “Liceu”, in Catalan, and you’ll find it going down the emblematic Rambla of Barcelona, on the right side of the street. Since its opening in April 1847, has been active with the exception of those years that was rebuilt after two devastating fires, one in 1861 and the most recent in 1994. Both saddest events demonstrate how the Liceo was a local, national and international musical, artistic and political reference. This theater has been the barometer of the historical events that have experienced the city since it opened, showing good times and bad times.

About its architecture it’s worth to mention the original facade, from 1847, the lobby and the big staircase of Venanci Vallmitjana (1901), the Mirrors Hall with a romantic decor, and the huge Auditorium, an almost exact reproduction of that was reduced to ashes by fire in 1994, with 2,300 seats. Since the Liceo’s reopening in 1999, in addition to the regular programming with great Italian and German operas and ballets from XVII, XIX and XX centuries, the theatre has programmed shows affordable for all audiences. To do this, popular sessions are scheduled with younger singers, with many discounts, live broadcasts of the most famous oeuvres in the city cinemas and online, special sessions only for children, and so on. All this makes tourism and the general public come to see classical opera and ballet, a type of plays and shows traditionally only for a wealthy audience.

Whether you’re spending a few days in Barcelona as a longer term and enjoying one of the ShBarcelona rental apartments, I’m sure you will pass by the Gran Teatro del Liceo. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to also enjoy the spectacular Auditorium acoustics or any of the great plays in the program. Between the 4th and the 23th of February you can see the opera “The Tales of Hoffmann” by Jacques Offenbach from 10,75€; on the 9th and 10^th of February Ballet am Rhein will perform the nineteen Bach counterpoint from 13.90€; on February the 15th orchestra director Jordi Savall proposes a journey through the music of three composers who were very important on Versailles Court: Lully, Rameau and Marais, from 9€.

If you want to know more about Barcelona’s history come and visit the Gran Teatro del Liceo!